Berlin, 30 September 2011. Hardly any other agricultural sector is as scientifically based and research-intensive as animal husbandry. That’s why today, more than ever, it is essential to focus the German bio-economy’s top research on this field. For this purpose, the BioEconomyCouncil is supporting the farm animal industry forum hosted by the German Agricultural Research Alliance (DAFA) on 4 and 5 October 2011. Council members Manfred Schwerin (chair of the Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology in Dummerstorf and Professor of Animal Husbandry at the University of Rostock) and Folkhard Isermeyer (President of the Thünen Institute in Braunschweig) were instrumental in promoting the DAFA initiative for the forum. 

Livestock husbandry, i.e. milk, meat and egg production, is one of the most important subsectors of Germany’s bio-economy. Supply of raw materials to the food industry, particularly for dairy and meat production, as well as to the culinary and gastronomic sectors, effectively connects it to the entire food production chain. In addition, as an important component of the German labour market as well as the regional financial structure, livestock husbandry is of major significance for securing the future of the countryside.

"Today, farm animal science and research no longer focuses solely on short-term efficiency in producing high-protein foods, but gives at least equal consideration to issues of animal welfare, animal ethics and environmental protection. In the long term, the only livestock husbandry which will be economically successful and socially accepted worldwide is that which takes the principles of closed nutrient cycles and species-appropriate handling of animals seriously and implements these," said Reinhard F. Hüttl, BioEconomyCouncil Chairman and President of acatech – National Academy of Science and Engineering, in regard to the farm animal forum.

The BioEconomyCouncil had already launched a farm animal research task force in 2010 under the direction of Council member Manfred Schwerin, for the purpose of identifying future spheres of activity and strategic measures in the field of farm animal science. DAFA is now building upon this, aiming to give specialised reinforcement to these spheres of activity and to support research consortia. A well-structured research environment and close cooperation between publicly and privately financed research are essential preconditions for achieving these goals.

About the BioEconomyCouncil:

The Bio-Economy Research and Technology Council (BioEconomyCouncil) was established in early 2009 as an independent advisory body to the German government by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV); its administrative office is at acatech – the National Academy of Science and Engineering. The BioEconomyCouncil formulates scientifically founded recommendations for improving the framework of the bio-economy on both the federal and state level as well as throughout the EU and other international partner states. In addition, the Council develops scenarios for setting framework conditions in the areas of research, education and the promotion of young talent, and supports the networking of relevant participants in science, economics and politics in the bio-economic field.

Contact and additional press material:

Birke Pietschmann
Public Relations Manager at the Bio-economy Council

Tel. +49 (0)30-7677189-30
pietschmann@biooekonomierat.de